Care items sought to send to troops

MODESTO -- In support of the Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Memorial Troop Support Program, Valley Charter High School in Modesto is collecting donations to pack and ship to U.S. troops serving worldwide. A barrel sits in the lobby of the school, at 108 Campus Way, off North Ninth Street, for donation drop-off 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

Deborah Phillips, one of the drive organizers, said welcome donations run the gamut: nonperishable snacks, personal care items, reading materials, travel-size games, playing cards and dice, socks, gloves and knit caps.

Greeting cards that troops can send to their loved ones also are welcome, Phillips said, because it's not as if they can run to the nearest Hallmark store. She noted that monetary donations also are appreciated, because it costs almost $14 to ship a box overseas.

There will be a care package packing event Jan. 27 from2 to 4 p.m. at the school, and donations and volunteer help are welcome that day. To learn more, call Phillips at (209) 303-7706 or visit www.cplpalmertroopsupport.com. Marine Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II, 36, of Manteca, pictured, was killed May 5, 2007, in Anbar province, Iraq.